“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness… For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith…” 2 Peter 1:3, 5
The idea of “adding” something to faith seems out of line with the fundamental Christian doctrine of “faith alone.” Has Peter wandered from the ‘sola fide’ premise that has long served as a bedrock Christian doctrine? Be assured Peter is not contradicting Paul’s teaching that we are saved by grace through faith, and not by works. We must properly understand the context of Peter’s teaching in this chapter. Peter is concerned, not with the matter of salvation by faith, but the faith additives that mark a life lived by obedience because of faith.
Faith is God’s work in our lives resulting in salvation and eternal life. Peter would agree that nothing can be added to achieve our salvation (see 1 Peter 3:1-5). It is by grace through faith – period. However, like James, Peter addresses the issue of genuine faith evidenced by productive action versus a faith without substance or life, which is no faith at all. Peter’s letters all focus on salvation that leads to obedience. He declares that God has, by His divine power, given us everything we need for life and godliness by faith. In other words, how we live our faith out in this world.
We have been saved as visible reflections of God’s glory because we are now new creatures in Christ. The Father has given us new life to cultivate that faith for His purposes. The apostle Paul uses similar language throughout his writings when he says “put on the full armor of God”, or “take off the old self” and “put on the new self”… all actions of obedience because of faith and the Spirit in us.
Faith in action is the defining characteristic of the authentic follower of Christ. Our children and grandchildren may hear us talk about our faith, but more importantly, do they see us live it in the divine power of God? They want to see our talk match our walk.
Throughout this series, we will examine each of these “additives” to faith that Peter lists for effective, productive living—what our talk talks and our walk talks. These are the things that Peter said he would diligently remind us of as long as he lived. We must do the same as grandparents.
Here’s an idea. Consider making a FAITH PLUS chart to use as a teaching tool with your grandchildren. Each week add one of the “additives” on your chart explaining what it means and an example of how that trait was displayed during the week. If you don’t have grandchildren nearby, make a chart you can send to them, and set up Skype or Facetime schedules to work through the chart together.
It is time for us to show that the evidence of our faith is on display in every part of our life. Faith alone gives us our salvation. Faith plus shows the world how that faith changes everything.
GRANDPAUSE
A man’s life is always more forcible than his speech. If his life and doctrine disagree, the mass of onlookers will accept his practice and reject his preaching. C.H. Spurgeon
I hear what you are saying Cavin, but find it a ‘dangerous’ way to say it. If Faith is ‘authentic’ Faith, it carries by-products with it of: compassion, integrity, kindness and love. These are not ‘add ins’ to faith but simply what is included in authentic Faith. Your statement that Faith brings salvation and the ‘Faith Plus’ show this faith to the world could encourage the very thing you are trying to be cautious of. Just my thoughts dear friend.
And I hear you, too, my good friend. I agree with you that there is always the danger of misunderstanding. That’s the problem we struggle with constantly, and have for centuries as we read Scriptures like James and 2 Peter. It is why I went to great lengths to stress that salvation faith is by faith alone through God’s grace. There is nothing more to be added… nothing! We are both in total agreement. However, is was Peter, not me that said “make every effort to ADD to your faith…” While I agree that authentic faith includes such things as Peter mentions, there is a reason he says to “add” these… It is because maturing faith that expresses the work of the Spirit demands intentionality… it is not automatic. That’s also why Paul often says things like “put on” and “put off” or “take up”. It is an “additive” only in the sense of my part God asks me to play in expressing “authentic faith”… which by the way, Peter has also declared complete in us because God has already given us everything we need for life and godliness.
Good conversation, Bro. Thanks for being part of the iron sharpening iron process.
Cavin